Gravesend Clock Tower, Gravesend, Kent

The clock tower was erected in 1889 to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria at a total cost of £1,097. It is felt by many that the tower is a very important part of the town and also a unique monument in the county but for years had been neglected and left in a shabby state with missing stone work and graffiti scrawled across its base. In the past, Gravesham council have spent money to make the area around it more appealing with the monument remaining untouched.

However, this is due to change thanks to cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a grant from Kent County Council (KCC), the tower will now undergo essential restoration and conservation of the Portland stone structure including the cleaning, repairing and replacement of the existing stone facades.

Local people will be able to see how the project progresses with plans to include an exhibition collection and a digital display of photographs of the clock tower along with demonstrations by PIERRA’s stonemason’s and tours of the tower with a local historian.

Stuart McLeod, head of HLF South East, said: “Built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, Gravesend’s clock tower is a much-loved local landmark.

"Gravesend is one of the areas where we are particularly keen to invest more of the money raised by National Lottery players in heritage projects so we are excited to see these plans develop.”